Swansea Jack
When we have a day to ourselves, during most weekend days and during the recent holiday period for example, we’ve been taking morning walks on the beach. During one of our walks last weekend we found a touching memorial to one of Swansea’s greatest heroes, Swansea Jack. Swansea Jack is a black Labrador retriever that was born not far from where we currently live in the Swansea Marina’s North Dock in 1930 and was kept by William Thomas.
In 1931 the legend of Swansea Jack began to grow when he rescued a 12 year old boy from drowning in the River Tawe. Only weeks later Jack was seen by a crowd at the marina docks saving another man from drowning, and by the end of his life Swansea Jack was credited with saving the lives of 27 swimmers and 2 dogs. He was awarded a silver collar by the Swansea city council and in 1936 was recognized as the “Bravest Dog of the Year” by the Star newspaper. He received a silver cup from the Lord Mayor of London and he remains the only dog to collect two bronze stars from the National Canine Defense League. In 2000, Swansea Jack was awarded the “Dog of the Century” by the New Found Friends of Bristol who train dogs in aquatic rescue techniques.

Swansea Jack died on October 2, 1937. His name lives on, however, as “Jack” is the nickname given to natives of Swansea. His monument, pictured above, was paid for by the citizens of Swansea and is located on the Promenade at Swansea Bay. It reads, “Ne’er had mankind more faithful friend than thou, who oft thy life didst lend to save some human soul from death.”